Micro-wood set to be planted in Catterall this November

There are six micro-woods across Lancashire. Pic: Lancashire County Council.

A micro-wood will be planted in Catterall this November.

It is part of a county-wide scheme run by the Treescapes team at Lancashire County Council (LCC) and will be planted on the Queen Elizabeth Playing Field in Catterall.

A spokesman for LCC said: “The micro-wood will be planted in November by Catterall Parish council, Catterall in Bloom, Catterall Beavers and parents, and Lancashire County Council.

“Micro-woods grow at faster rates than other traditionally planted forests and woodlands. This means they can provide shelter and food to wildlife faster. They also absorb air pollution, and lock away carbon quicker which helps reduce the impacts of climate change.

“Planted on Queen Elizabeth Playing field, the micro-wood will connect pre-existing wildlife areas in the playing field and will help alleviate flooding. It is one Funded by Coronation Living Heritage Fund. This micro-wood is one of seven paid for by this fund.

“Also known as a Miyawaki forest, it is a haven for wildlife. This is a unique type of forest was first pioneered by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki. The method of improving the soil and planting trees and bushes at very high concentrations, means more survive, they grow faster, and it will increase the plant, animal, and fungi life present.”

The other six are in Kirkham, Fleetwood (Memorial Park), Pendle (Nelson and Colne College), Rossendale (Brow Edge), with two in Preston (Haslam Park, Dovedale)

The Treescapes team has been funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund to work with public, private, and voluntary sector partners across Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool to deliver an ambitious programme to plant 170 hectares of rural woodland and 30,000 urban and peri-urban trees by 2025.

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